In many central European countries, chimney sweeps were associated with good luck. This concept was so prevalent, postcards from the early 1900s often featured painted images of chimney sweeps scattering on the ground lucky talismans like four-leaf clovers.
The chimney flue is one of the most important parts of a chimney. This tunnel, often lined with ceramic, clay tile and other heat-resistant materials, is designed to vent the smoke and gases of a fire outside the home.
One of the benefits of having your chimney swept and cleaned regularly is that this will improve the airflow and overall performance of the chimney. If you notice smoke coming into your living room from your fireplace, then chances are that your chimney needs to be cleaned.
Did you know that creosote logs sold in home improvement outlets can help control the build-up of dangerous creosote (the flammable residue of incomplete combustion) in a fireplace and chimney? Together with an annual inspection, creosote logs make fireplaces safer to use.
Did you know that you should only use a special type of brick called firebrick for fireplaces? This is because normal bricks cannot withstand the continued high heat inside a fireplace and tend to crack.
Waiting until the cold finally sets in isn't necessarily the best time to call a chimney sweep. They're generally much more booked once it starts to get cold, so it can be a good idea to get the annual inspection and cleaning out of the way earlier. This ensures you're ready to go when the fireplace is needed.
If you do not have a chimney but want a fireplace, you may want to consider a vent-free fireplace. With this option, the heat produced stays in your home, which makes a vent-free fireplace perfect for heat and cost efficiency.
Ever wonder why chimney sweeps wore top hats and tails? Aside from the color black being very practical for their line of work, it was said to give an air of distinction to the job. Interestingly, they also wore slippers, which made climbing much easier.
We realize that no one really wants to think about the potential for a chimney fire whenever they light a relaxing fire in their fireplace. Let’s talk about how having your chimney swept regularly can give you the peace of mind that your home is secure.
Chimneys were developed in urban areas as early as the 1200s. They started out central to the building and large, but evolved into ever narrower shafts specific to rooms. Wood was a primary fuel leading to coal. Both deposit creosote.
Historically, the traditional "uniform" for chimney sweeps included black top hats and tails. The story says their clothes were hand me downs from funeral directors. However, black was also a way to hide soot.
One of the main advantages of using a chimney cap is that it prevents animals from climbing into your chimney and building nests, which can block air and smoke from leaving your chimney as it should.
Did you know that Benjamin Franklin played an important role in the invention of fireplaces? He created the first freestanding firebox, known as the Franklin stove, after discovering that fireplaces lost a lot of heat through the wall.
Do you have a chimney leak? This may be caused by a missing chimney cap, crown cracks and deterioration, mortar joint deterioration, cracking in the masonry, foundation cracking, or flue gas condensation cause by over- or undersized chimney liners.
Until the late 1800s, children were often used to climb through the chimneys to dislodge soot and creosote in many countries. They would push the broom up ahead of them and then slide down. It was dangerous and finally abolished.
Cleaning your chimney on a regular basis isn't a fictional need made up by chimney sweeps. The Environmental Protection Agency, Consumer Product Safety Commission and the American Lung Association all agree annual inspection and cleaning is important for your health and safety.
Did you know the once a year chimney inspection standard still applies even when you don't use your fireplace often? Just because you aren't using it doesn't mean wild animals aren't building nests inside the chimney.
Masonry chimneys are beautiful additions to a home and are often thought to be indestructible. Unfortunately, the elements can erode the durability of your masonry chimney over time. Consider adding a chimney cover to protect it.
Regardless of the type of fireplace you have, it is a good idea to have a professional inspect it once a year. During the inspection, a professional checks the fan, pilots and burners, and looks for proper ignition and combustion, venting, and chimney draw.
Children were often employed by early chimney sweeps, as their smaller stature made it much easier to move through the chimney. In turn, the “master” sweep agreed to clothe and keep the child, as well as teach him the chimney sweep trade.
Did you know that more than 200 Americans die each year from carbon monoxide poisoning? In order to protect your family, getting your chimney inspected prior to use each year can help you prevent becoming a statistic.
It’s important to remember that owning a home doesn’t have to make you personally responsible for every little maintenance task that’s due. Outsourcing the more critical tasks like chimney sweeping to a pro can help you create more time for the things around the house you enjoy doing.
Over time, a layer of soot residue can form on the inside of your chimney. It may completely block your chimney, giving smoke no place to go. Even before it gets to that point, soot build-up can stop your chimney from functioning properly.
Did you know that over 100 pounds of creosote can accumulate on the inside of a chimney? When chimneys are not cleaned regularly, the layer of creosote that forms continues to grow and can eventually block the entire chimney passage.
One of the best ways to prevent the drawbacks of fireplaces is to have a properly-fitted and functioning chimney liner. A chimney liner provides insulation and helps prevent toxic gases from entering your home.
Modern chimney sweeps not only clean the soot and creosote out of chimneys. Sweeps now also discover problems and fix them before they become dangerous. We recognize firebox and damper issues you might now.
The amount of time that it takes to clean your chimney will depend on several factors: the type of chimney, the amount of debris and buildup present, and the level of cleaning desired. Your chimney sweep will be able to give you an estimate of the time after he's done an inspection of your chimney.
Indoor fireplaces have been used since the Middle Ages. Homes of all sizes, as well as castles relied on fireplaces for warmth and cooking. Fireplaces in modern homes are more often used for ambiance than cooking dinner.
The National Fire Protection Agency has established detailed standards for chimneys, fireplaces, venting systems, and heating stoves. Called the "NFPA 211," the standards identify three levels of chimney inspection and define appropriate cleaning and repair methods.
The use of chimneys extends all the way back to ancient Rome. Here, Romans first made the switch from a single fire in the center of the room to an isolated fireplace used both to heat structures and to cook indoors.
If you’re the type of homeowner who loves to tackle all the routine maintenance around your home, you may wonder whether cleaning your own chimney is something you can do. While you may technically be able to do it, working with a professional can often ensure a more thorough job.
A flue is a channel or passage inside a chimney that vents air to the outdoors. Although most fireplaces have a single flue, multiple flues can nestle inside a single chimney to serve multiple appliances, like a wood burning stove as well as a fireplace.
Do you know where the expression “light a fire under you” comes from? In 17th century England, orphans and poor children served as indentured servants to chimney sweeps. If they were scared to climb into the narrow passageways, the master sweeper would give them a little “encouragement” by way of lighting a small fire.
Chimneys use pressure cued by hot gases to pull air over hot coals to create combustion. The draft feeds oxygen to the fire while drawing away the smoke in both straight and angled chimneys.
Good chimney maintenance can help insure the safe use of your fireplace. One function of an annual inspection is to identify wood-tar creosote buildup that can cause hot, damaging fires to flare up inside your chimney.
So what exactly is creosote, and why does it need to be cleaned out of your chimney? This is a highly flammable substance that builds up inside your chimney or liner as a result of burning wood. Regular cleaning is critical, as it only takes a small accumulation of creosote glazing to create the potential for a chimney fire.
One of the benefits of having your chimney professionally cleaned is that it will be inspected as well. Issues such as premature wear of brick or stones or missing mortar can be pinpointed and fixed before they have a chance to become a much bigger issue.
If you’ve recently moved into a home with fireplace, you won’t always be able to tell at a glance how well the previous homeowner cared for it. Remember, having a pro come out to clean it before you light your first fire is the best way to keep your family safe.
Do you know where the term “light a fire under you” came from? This is actually a chimney sweep term that emerged in the 1700s and 1800s. Children chimney sweeps were often reluctant to clean out the dirty, soot-encrusted flue. But they had no choice but to finish the job when a fire was lit underneath them by their chimney master.
A chimney liner is essentially intended to contain the combustion products that travel up your flue, directing them to the outside while protecting the chimney from heat and corrosion. They can also help optimize the efficiency of heating appliances.
One of the main benefits of having your chimney regularly cleaned is that this removes blockages. Nesting animals can create a blockage that reduces air circulation and impedes the function of the fireplace.
Do you ever worry that having your chimney swept the bare minimum of times a year may be putting your family and your property at risk? Rest assured that we’re always ready to help you set up a cleaning schedule that will help protect your home.
Modern safety standards mandate that chimney liners be installed. These are made of metal, clay, or ceramic and serve to protect the walls of the house from the heat of the fire. If your chimney is unlined or the liner is damaged, talk to a chimney professional about getting one installed or replaced.
The NFPA recommends a Level 3 chimney inspection when the possibility of a hidden hazard has been identified. This comprehensive inspection confirms concealed portions of the chimney and flue have properly constructed of appropriate materials.
For many people the sight and sound of a crackling fire is part of their vision of a home. The National Association of Home Builders conducted a survey in which 77 percent of home buyers stated they prefer a home with a fireplace.
Fires related to the chimney and fireplace are not only unusual, but the presence of serious injuries is rare. Only 20 fatalities were reported in fires related to chimneys or fireplaces in 2007 - less than 1 percent of the fatalities in all structure blazes.
Waterproofing can really protect the bricks in your chimney. Not only does it minimize the brick masonry deterioration, but it prevents the water penetration and absorption that can undermine the integrity of the brick work.
Unfortunately, an improperly cleaned chimney is often just as dangerous to your family as one that hasn’t bee cleaned at all. When you don’t want to risk your family’s safety, it’s always a good idea to call in an experience chimney sweep.
In the 1700s and 1800s, chimney sweeps were often young children. This is because they were the only ones small enough to be able to go up inside a chimney and clean it out. A chimney “master” taught the children how to chimney sweep as a trade and was responsible for housing them as well.
It’s important to remember that some types of fires are inherently dirtier than others when it comes to your chimney. For instance, burning things like cardboard or old Christmas trees can create more debris to accumulate in the chimney and could even spark a fire.
The speed with which soot and debris build up inside your chimney depends primarily on how often the fireplace is used and the type of material you are burning. An annual inspection from a chimney sweep is recommended to ensure that the chimney is swept frequently.
If you've experienced a chimney fire, it's important that you have it inspected for damage. If cracks and holes aren't repaired, then next fire can be even more dangerous, as the sparks could go through those cracks to the attic or framework, leading to a serious house fire.
If you’ve never lived in a home with a fireplace before, you may not realize that the type of fire you build in it can often determine who frequently you’ll need us to sweep the chimney. Let’s talk about the ways you can build a cleaner burning fire during our next visit.
The speed with which soot and debris build up inside your chimney depends primarily on how often the fireplace is used and the type of material you are burning. An annual inspection from a chimney sweep is recommended to ensure that the chimney is swept frequently.
Creosote is the enemy of many chimneys. Creosote builds up on chimney liners over time because few wood-burning fireplaces burn with complete efficiency. The creosote can accumulate and eventually pose a fire hazard.
Although the Internet may provide no shortage of information on how to clean your own chimney, this is a maintenance task truly best left to professionals. Not only is getting on the roof hazardous, but it’s easy to miss issues with your chimney when you aren’t experienced.
If you've experienced a chimney fire, it's important that you have it inspected for damage. If cracks and holes aren't repaired, then next fire can be even more dangerous, as the sparks could go through those cracks to the attic or framework, leading to a serious house fire.
If you’ve never lived in a home with a fireplace before, you may not realize that the type of fire you build in it can often determine who frequently you’ll need us to sweep the chimney. Let’s talk about the ways you can build a cleaner burning fire during our next visit.
The speed with which soot and debris build up inside your chimney depends primarily on how often the fireplace is used and the type of material you are burning. An annual inspection from a chimney sweep is recommended to ensure that the chimney is swept frequently.
If you have a factory or pre-fabricated chimney system in your home, it's important to remember the firebox was designed specifically for use with the included chimney system. This makes it critical that all installation instructions were followed to the letter.
Did you know that while all woods can create chimney fires, unseasoned wood is considered to be the most dangerous? This is because it is colder than normal wood temperatures and thus creates a higher level of creosote deposit.
Creosote is the enemy of many chimneys. Creosote builds up on chimney liners over time because few wood-burning fireplaces burn with complete efficiency. The creosote can accumulate and eventually pose a fire hazard.
Although the Internet may provide no shortage of information on how to clean your own chimney, this is a maintenance task truly best left to professionals. Not only is getting on the roof hazardous, but it’s easy to miss issues with your chimney when you aren’t experienced.
If you've experienced a chimney fire, it's important that you have it inspected for damage. If cracks and holes aren't repaired, then next fire can be even more dangerous, as the sparks could go through those cracks to the attic or framework, leading to a serious house fire.
If you’ve never lived in a home with a fireplace before, you may not realize that the type of fire you build in it can often determine who frequently you’ll need us to sweep the chimney. Let’s talk about the ways you can build a cleaner burning fire during our next visit.
